UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric supplied an update on Friday on the latest UN investigation into UN Aid and Works Company for Palestinians within the Close to East (UNWRA) workers, saying that one case has been closed and three suspended. Eight workers members stay underneath investigation. The investigation got here after Israeli claimed that UNWRA workers in Gaza had been concerned within the Hamas-led October 7 terror attack. The investigations are being led by the Workplace of Inside Oversight Providers (OIOS).
Dujarrac, in Friday’s press conference, stated OIOS was investigating a complete of 19 workers: the 12 from the preliminary allegations and seven extra that “the UN has since acquired details about.” He supplied an replace that one case was closed as “no proof” was supplied by Israel to substantiate the claims, with deliberate “corrective administrative motion to be taken.” Three circumstances have been suspended “as the data supplied by Israel is just not enough for OIOS to proceed with an investigation.”
OIOS continues to research the remaining circumstances. Dujarrac stated:
OIOS has knowledgeable us that its investigators had travelled to Israel for discussions with the Israeli authorities and can undertake one other go to throughout Might. These discussions are persevering with and have to this point been productive and have enabled progress on the investigations.
Israel’s allegations in opposition to 12 UNRWA workers had been orally raised to UNWRA Commissioner-Normal Philippe Lazzarini by an Israeli diplomat in January 2024. The ten workers members recognized had been instantly fired and an OIOS probe wasopened. Lazzarini introduced that UNWRA would moreover besubject to an impartial professional overview.
The claims resulted in lots of countries’ withdrawal of important funding from UNWRA. This included the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the EU. This drew concern from NGOs, human rights groups, and the UN itself, as 87% of individuals in Gaza rely upon UNWRA’s providers. Nonetheless, a number of international locations have now resumed funding since then.
The independent review’s final report, printed on Monday and led by Ms. Catherine Colonna, clarified that Israel has but to supply proof to substantiate its claims in opposition to the staff. It stated, “the Israeli Authorities has not knowledgeable UNRWA of any issues referring to any UNRWA workers primarily based on these workers lists since 2011.”
The report particulars the monetary affect of the donor withdrawal at round 450 million USD, and emphasised UNRWA’s position as a “lifeline” to individuals in Gaza. It recommended a UN action plan which includes further workers screening and an up to date code of ethics. These suggestions have been officially accepted by Lazzarini.
Source / Picture: jurist.org
